Carmel J. Balestra

Saturday, June 14, 2014 - Updated: 4:08 AM

A lifelong area resident, Carm was born on March 8, 1931 a son of the late Joseph and Rose Cappuccio Balestra. He was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School. Carm was employed by the New York State Thruway Authority for many years until his retirement.

He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Nicholas and Daniel Balestra.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Patricia Tappen Balestra; two daughters, Jacqueline Brownell and her husband Thomas and Donna O'Neil and her husband Robert; one sister, Grace Tambasco; three grandchildren, Christopher Brownell (Kaylea Brooks), Morgan Brownell and Michael O'Neil; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11 o'clock at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Those wishing to remember Carm in a special way are asked to donate to St. Jude's Children's Research Cancer Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Make A Wish Foundation, 1 Mustang Drive, Cohoes, NY 12047. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home. Please visit the online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.